Chapter :- 3.

Ethnobotany - 23 -

CHAPTER:- 3
ETHNOBOTANY

3.1 What is Ethnobotany

Ethnobotany relatively a new science deals with the various principles, which
govern such relationship between man and vegetation. In other words Ethnobotany
means all the sources of the plants towards humankind and the other species growing
on the earth.

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3.2 Historical back ground

The term Ethnobotany was coined by J.W.Harshberger in 1895. The roots of
ethnobotanical science can be traced in ancient India. This science has been emerged
from India. The sources of this science lie in old Indian scripture, e.g. Rigveda,
Atharvaveda and upnishads also. These ancient sources contain guideline for
information regarding ethnomedicinal plants.
A list of some of the importance Indian treatises is presented in two vedic
periods Rigveda and Athervaveda 148 medicinal plants are included. In charaka
samhita 400-450 medicinal plants are included. In morden periods Indian medicinal
plants by Kirtikar and Basu (1935) 1775 plants have included and glossary oflndian
Chapter :- 3. Ethnobotany - 24-

medicinal plants by Chopra and some others have included more than 3500
medicinal plants. Thus, recently our present day knowledge of Indian Materia
Medica accounts for nearly 3500 species under various crude drugs both of
indigenous and exotic origin. Glimps oflndian Ethnobotany (JainI981) is the first
book dealing with Indian ethnobotany.
Even from the ruins ofmonhe-jo-daro
and Harappa fossils of Herbal drugs are found.
The origin of all the sciences oflndia lies in
the Vedas. In times of the Atharva veda Herbal
drugs are used. There after in the sub ved of
the Rigveda, Ayurveda there is elaborate scientific
description is found. Ayurveda is considered the
basis of vedic science ofIndia. The origin of
Ayurveda is considered to be from Atharvaveda.
From ancient time the science of herbal medicine /\ large food grain container - potu

is more or less invented in India. Ayurveda is the

period of inception for herbal medicine in India.
The Indian scholars of toxicology and grugstherapy were considered best even in
Europe.
India having been the habitation of various seasons, climates, rain and
mountains like the Himalayas there fore India was considered the inhabitation of
Herbal medicine. With passage of time the Ayurveda with bright prestige was
degraded into the dark ignorant period.
Sir Villium Johns first wrote a book "Botanical observation on select plant".
In 1810, Jhon Fleming wrote a book "Catalogue of meditional plants". In 1813
Aeinsy wrote a book "Materia Medica of Hindustan". In 1820 Roxburgh wrote a
book "Flora Indica". In 1863 Dr. Dimak published a book "Materia Medica of
western India". In 1868 Varring published a book "Farma coppya India". In 1869 Dr.
Mohiddin Sarif published a book "Suppliment to the Farma coppya of Indica". In
1895 Sir Joyerg Wott (Brittisher) published a book "Dictionary of economic
Chapter :- 3. Ethnobotany - 25 -

products of India". There after "Indigenous drugs of India" wrote by Kaneyalal Dave
and "Indigenous drugs ofIndia" wrote by R.N.Chopra.

3.3 Scope of Ethnobotany

The scope of ethnobotany in rccent time and future has been established with
the problem of nutrition, life support species, rural health, drugs use, abuse, social
customs, cottage industries, conservation of ecosystems and energy. A useful recent
approach is to look at this man-plant relationship from the view points of the plants
own population, i.e. selective exploitation, reproductive biology, species competition
and consequently survival.
According to Schulter (1962) ethnobotany is 'The study of the relationship
which exists between people of primitive societies and their plant environment'. In
more simple word it is an 'Anthropological approach to botany'. In recent years
much work in this science has been done in the many contries e.g. India, France,
Mexico, U.S.A., etc.
Ethnobotany has attracted attention during last three decades. Recent
researches on ethnobotany have today established linkage between many special
areas like ethnomedicine, ethnopharmacologv. ethnoagriculture, ethnoveterinery and
ethnonarcotics.
Ethnobotanical studies have shown their relevance in search for new herbal
drugs useful gerrnplasm, new food and fodder. tool in economiC development and in
conservatIOn of natural resources and heTitage.
An increasing number of scientists and scholars representing botanists,
phytochemists, pharmacologists, anthropologists, Ayurveda and Unanl physician and
other are now taking interest in furthering the science of cthnomedicines and its
related fields.
Ethnomcdicine IS the reccnt branch of medicine III which informations
gathered from the local peoples about particular plant and Its different uses against
different ailments. Ethnomedicine IS the system of medicine, which gives the initial
medicinal information about a partlclJiar plant clinically there therapeutic values of
Chapter:- 3. Ethnobotany - 26-

the said medicinal properties are justified by screening the plant with different
pharmacological aspects.
Today thousands of plants are being in the different fonns in the Ayurvedic
as well as Unani system of medicines but their therapeutic value is not justified.
These infonnation gives a general idea to the research scholars investigation on the
plant kingdom for chemical and pharmacological study is the prime activity of
pharmaceutical research and to develop a new formulation which will be
pharmacologically active and free from the side effects.
The three basic needs of man viz. Food, Clothing and Shelter are being
provided for by plants or their derivatives. Even the animals, carnivores or
herbivores are totally dependent upon the green plants for their food. Hence it is
popularly said that 'all flesh is grass'. The various diverse economic social and
aesthetic importance of the plant like as food, fibre, oil, beverages, tannins. dyes,
gums, resins, condiments and medicinal plants.
In India no social or religious function is complete without offerings of
flowers .Man to free himself from the maddening tensions of everyday life, seeKs
peace and solace in the peaceful, ecstatic environment of greenery. The study of
ethnobotany in incompatibility reaction has opened up many opportulllties for
effective manupulation of incompatibility in a deslrablewav

3.4 Ethnobotany- Sciencc or Art

It is natural to think and very often asked whether Ethnobotany is a science or
an art. Before we think over the issue we must attempt first to explain what we mean
by science and art. Art is doing and science is understanding. The infonnation
gathered through understanding of various principles that govern the function of
nature the science ofethnobotany and are then applied in the welfare of mankind that
becomes the art of ethnobotanv
Although it may appear quite surprising as how can we hannonize In one
profession both a science and an art, but it is true because ethnobotany is an art when
we use plants for ornamentation, pleasure, unique preparation of garden, kitchen
garden, cosmetics and wood work in toys and other wooden articles. Its relat ion to
Chapter :- 3. Ethnobotany - 27-

other branches like Ethnomusicolob'Y, Ethnohorticulture, Ethnolinguistics,

Ethnometricology, Ethnoecology, Ethnocosmetics etc ..
Ethnobotany is considered science when we used the plants for herbal drugs
and its chemical contents for healing from diseases. Its relation to other branches like
Ethnophannacy, Ethnophannacology, EthnophytochemistI)', Ethnotoxicology,
Ethnomedicine etc ...

3.5 Approach to Ethnobotany

Ethnobotany relatively a new science deals with the various principles, which
govern such relationship between man and vegetation. In more simple word
Ethnobotany means all the sources of the plants towards human kind and the other
species on the earth.
According to above approaches could lead to the development of the
following main subdivision of ethnobotany.
l.Ethnobryology:- Ethnobotanical study ofbryophytes.
2.Ethnocosmetics:- Materials used by an ethinc group, folk, people or rare for care,
beautification or Ornamentation of body, particularly skin and hair.
3.Ethnodietetics:- That aspect of ethnogastrology which relates to choice. content
,frequency, consumption and nutritive value of food.
4.Ethnoecology:- Deals with all indigenous beliefs, concepts, knowledge and
practices relating to interaction between man and his environment, including motion
and practices for conservation of species, communities, and nature in general.
5.Ethnogastrology:- Deals with all aspects of eating and drinking like the kind.
source, frequency, quantity and processing of the materials used among any ethnic
group, folk, people, or face for satisfYing hunger and thirst. including the emergency.
famine or subsistence foods.
6.Ethnogynaecology:- Deals indigenous beliefs knowledge, concepts and practices
for treating problems of female fertility, contraception. pregnancy, child birth and
related problems.
Chapter;- 3. Ethnobotany - 28-

7.Ethnohorticultare:- Indigenous belief, concepts knowledge and practices among

an ethnic group, folk, people or people about raising of horticultural plants. Plants
for fruits, vegetables, ornaments and pleasure unique in a community.
8.Ethnomedicinc:- Indigenous beliefs, concepts, knowledge and practices among an
ethnic group, folk, people or race for preventing, lessening or cursing diseases, pam
and folk medicine.
9.Ethnomedicobotany:- Study of plants employed as drugs among any ethic group
folk, people or race ethnobotanical aspect of any source of drug.
10.Ethnomusicology:- Study of among an ethnic group all aspects of their vocal and
instrumental music, the origin, evolution, themes and materials related to their music.
II.Ethnonarcotics:- Study of narcotics Substances among any ethic group, folk,
people or race.
12.Ethnoophthalmology:- Indigenous beliefs, knowledge, concepts and practices
for treating ailments of and injury to eye or impairment of vision.
13. Ethnoorthopaedics :- Indigenous beliefs knowledge concepts and practice for
healing of bones.
14. Ethnopaediatrics :- Indigenous knowledge concepts and practices about care of
children in sickness colic complaints and pain.
IS. Ethnopaleobotany:- Ethnobotanical aspects of fossilized plants materials.
16. Ethnopharmacy :- Deals with the unique beliefs knowledge concepts and
practices among an ethnic group, folk people or race about collecting preparing
preserving and dispensing of medicines.
17. Ethnopharmacology :- Pharmacological study of biological materials related to
an ethnic group folk people or race indigenous concepts and methods of observation
and experimentation on drugs.
18. Ethnotoxicology :- Study of substances considered or employed as toxic
antitoxic intoxicant among any ethnic group folk people or race.
19. Ethnovctcrinary :- Deals with the unique beliefs knowledge concepts skills and
practices among the folk relating to health of animal.
20. Ethnozoology :- Deals with all aspects of direct relationship between man and
animal.